I think I posted about our shadow puppet theater a few months ago. It's just a plain old cardboard box, with a square cut out of one side and then covered over with freezer paper. It didn't cost any money at all to make, and it's one of those toys that never seems to lose it's appeal. We get it down every so often, I guess once a week maybe, and it's always good for a few laughs. Ivo recently invented a new way to play with it, too. It's a guessing game, and here's how it's done . . .
1. Collect several items from around the house. They should have a distinctive shape. Or not. They can just be whatever.
2. Set up the shadow puppet box with a light, and the items you collected. We used an apron as a tablecloth here to hide the basket of items from the audience.
3. One by one, hold the items up to the paper and see if the audience can guess what they are based on the silhouette.
4. Then we get to see if we've guessed correctly . . . the big reveal . . .
Good old-fashioned family fun, like the parlour games of yester-year. And I know they didn't have YouTube in yester-year, but Ivo loves these shadow puppet video clips, so I'll post a few links to them here. Also a link for how to make your own shadow puppets . . . fun!
Ivo's favorite one (He says "That poor hippo just wants to play!")
How to make your own shadow puppets (My favorite-- gotta love "Vampire Ducky")
I love this idea. My son would have fun with this. He's been making a "stage" out of the piano bench with a blanket on top lately for finger puppets.
Posted by: Dawn | February 21, 2008 at 05:40 PM
I cannot even tell you how much I love this post. What a fabulous idea! And that second link is amazing.
Posted by: Amy | February 21, 2008 at 07:19 PM
Brilliant! Of course.
Your posts about toys always get me excited & bring back childhood memories for me...Xxx
Posted by: bex | February 21, 2008 at 07:24 PM
We have got to try and make one- CJ loves shadows. I can see that I've failed to use You Tube for its optimal entertainment value! I know CJ would love Ivo's favorite, and Josh's favorite one was unbelievable. And how can you not love a guy who comes up with something like "vampire ducky"?!
Posted by: Jenny | February 21, 2008 at 07:37 PM
You get the award for actually doing, real play. Awesome, I want to come and sit and watch. I'm sure this is totally absorbing.
Thanks!
Posted by: Lizz | February 21, 2008 at 08:42 PM
Great post! What fun to play old fashioned games in the new fashioned world! Ivo is a very lucky little boy to have you and Josh for parents!
Love, Hugs. and Guess What's In the Shadow Box kisses for Ivo!
Mom
Posted by: Mom | February 21, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Oh what fun. I want to make one. I love the simplicity of it.
Posted by: Mary Beth | February 21, 2008 at 10:35 PM
What a fantastic, creative idea!!! I can't wait to try this with O. Thanks!
Posted by: Melissa A. | February 22, 2008 at 12:43 AM
Very fun. My boys love making shadow puppets too - I think their favorite is the crow flying as it shrieks CAW!CAW! They just do theirs on the wall. It is a great idea to have a box/lamp.
Posted by: Denise | February 22, 2008 at 09:02 AM
Great idea and super fun project! We are all stuck in the house with colds, so this will be a easy, fun thing to do in the evening. :)
Posted by: Diane | February 22, 2008 at 09:38 AM
Lucky Ivo to have such a cool Mommy and Daddy!
;-) This is such a super idea.
Posted by: Kate in NJ | February 22, 2008 at 10:36 AM
This is a wonderful idea. Looks like lots of fun!
Posted by: Mom Unplugged | February 22, 2008 at 11:14 AM
LOVE THIS IDEA!!!
Posted by: mom | February 22, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Ivo is such a compassionate little boy. I watched the hippo film and he's right the hippo just wants to join in the fun.
Your insights on play always get me thinking, thank you.
Posted by: Stacey | February 22, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Wowie, what a great, simple idea! The best ideas are always the simple ones right? Thanks for sharing your brilliance (again!) Amanda!
Posted by: Carrie | February 22, 2008 at 04:27 PM
oh fun! thanks for the linkies...can't wait to play with my own little ones.
Posted by: jessamyn | February 22, 2008 at 04:32 PM
The shadow box is great! A wonderful parlour game. And I enjoyed the youtube too- got carried away watching them and almost missed an appointment! must be good...
Posted by: Taimarie | February 22, 2008 at 10:11 PM
oh i just love it, amanda! can't wait to make our own. :)
Posted by: shelley caskey | February 23, 2008 at 09:32 AM
That looks like fun! What a clever game ;o)
Posted by: Ram in the Thicket | February 25, 2008 at 08:41 AM
I love this idea! My sons will adore this once I get all the supplies to build. (right size box, freezer paper, and small lamp)
You rock and I love your blog!
Posted by: Shannon | February 25, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Wow, what a great idea!!!
Posted by: Kim | March 06, 2008 at 06:50 AM
Muy bonito!!
Posted by: Jimena | February 21, 2009 at 08:03 PM
What A fantastic Idea. One of my boys is petrified of the dark and I have been looking for ideas on how to make turning the light off more fun.
Posted by: Sarah | February 22, 2009 at 04:25 AM
This is such a nice simple way to make a shadow theatre -- It usually seems so complicated! Thank you for sharing :)
Posted by: allie | February 22, 2009 at 08:45 AM
Thanks for your sharing. My chinese daughter will love it!
Posted by: Maggie Shu | July 08, 2010 at 02:47 AM